I encourage you to listen/watch the Randolph County School Board meeting held on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (available on YouTube). School board member Ed Daniels gave a comprehensive presentation outlining an alternate approach to address the school system’s current financial situation. The approach he described incorporated current school utilization, capacity of facilities, and student travel times.

The following are a few observations from Wednesday’s meeting:

• It is time the Board of Education and the community had options to consider. The recommendations provided by Dr. Dilly are frequently changing. Last week, in a matter of a couple of days, his school closure recommendations changed. Wednesday evening, board members had to request clarification to understand which schools were included in the latest recommendation.

• According to Dr. Dilly’s statements, recommendations on school closures are tailored not only by projected savings but by the level of opposition anticipated from the communities impacted.

• You may want to consider the fact that Dr. Dilly has gone so far as to suggest that in as short a time as 4-5 years, Tygarts Valley High School may also be closed and the high school students moved to Elkins.

• In his presentation, Mr. Daniels concluded that we need to consider multiple options, and we also need leadership that brings people and communities together.

• Following Mr. Daniels’ presentation, Dr. Dilly offered his assessment that Mr. Daniels presentation was “shortsighted” and stated that he really hadn’t had much time to look at it.

• Members of the Randolph County Board of Education ask hard questions and are also willing to spend time and effort to develop options in addressing the county school system’s fiscal deficit. They should be commended.

I applaud Steve Wamsley and the other principals for meeting to discuss these issues and create some recommendations. As Mr. Wamsley said in a recent school board meeting, “You have to have buy-in from the people impacted”. Sadly, those most deeply impacted by Dr. Dilly’s recommendations are not allowed to participate in the process of developing solutions. Many months ago, my wife and I requested a meeting with Dr. Dilly and President Anger to share some ideas. That request has never been granted.

State School Board Member, Debra Sullivan wrote in an e-mail to me: “Harman and Pickens, along with other rural, community schools throughout West Virginia are treasures that need to be valued and kept alive”

Dan Bucher

1972 graduate from one of those Treasures

Harman